Although Mac, Windows, and Linux computers with Thunderbolt™ ports offer processing power to spare, for many users (such as pros in the creative fields) onboard processing power alone is not enough. The computers lack the PCIe expansion slots needed to install specialty cards that add video and audio inputs, transcode data, and connect to high-speed shared storage and networks. Echo™ Express SE IIIe is a compact, desktop Thunderbolt expansion system that enables you to connect three professional PCIe cards to your computer at the same time. Using a single Thunderbolt cable, it’s compatible with Apple M series or Intel Macs with Thunderbolt 3 ports, and Windows or Linux computers with Thunderbolt 5, 4, or USB4 ports.
Compact Desktop Expansion – when plugged into one of your computer's Thunderbolt ports, Echo Express SE IIIe enables you to connect up to three professional PCIe cards, such as video capture cards, audio interfaces, SAS or SATA host bus adapter, Fibre Channel, Ethernet, or RAID controller.
Use multiple high-performance PCIe cards with computers with a Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 port.
Supports three full-height, half-length+ (up to 7.75 inches long), single-width cards, or one double-width card plus one single-width card.
Offers full PCIe bandwidth to the installed card.
Takes up little space on the desktop, but large enough to support nearly every Thunderbolt-compatible non-GPU PCIe card at full performance.
One port connects to computer; second port supports additional Thunderbolt peripheral devices.
Temperature-controlled, variable-speed fan automatically and quietly cools the cards.
Powers on/off automatically with the computer.
Provides robust and secure protection.
Auxiliary PCIe power connector for a power-hungry card; daisy chain port provides up to 15W of power to connected peripherals.
Supports M series Macs and Intel Macs with Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Supports Windows computers with Thunderbolt 5, 4, or USB4 ports.
Supports Linux computers with Thunderbolt 5, 4, or USB4 ports.
Founded in 1986 in Orange County, Southern California — long recognized as a vibrant hub of technology and engineering — Sonnet has been at the forefront of innovation for nearly four decades. We’ve introduced award-winning products that expand performance and connectivity for Mac, Windows, and other industry-standard computers. Many of our team members have been with us for more than 20 years, bringing unmatched expertise across both current and legacy products. Should you ever need technical support, you can count on our knowledgeable staff to provide the help you need.
Smaller than 3-slot Echo III Desktop, Echo Express SE IIIe is still large enough to support nearly every Thunderbolt compatible, non-GPU card available. With its three x8 slots, the SE IIIe supports PCIe 4.0, 3.0, PCIe 2.0, and PCIe 1.1 cards up to 7.75 inches long. Do you have a card in mind but aren’t sure it’s compatible? We’ve put together a compatibility list that identifies cards conforming to Thunderbolt technology requirements, and organized by fit and power compatibility with specific expansion systems.
Echo Express SE IIIe’s PCIe 3.0 x8 slots support three half-length+, full-height, single-width PCIe cards, or one single-width card plus one double-width card.
Some specialty cards, such as RME’s HDSPe MADI FX, Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink 4K Extreme, and the Lynx AES16e 50, include a daughter card that mates with and provides additional external connections to the main card.
Echo Express SE IIIe includes an auxiliary PCIe power connector, enabling you to install a card requiring extra power, such as the AJA Kona 5 or Blackmagic DeckLink 4K Extreme 12G, and Bluefish444’s Epoch and KRONOS SDI cards.
1. Three PCIe 3.0 x8 slots
2. 6-pin auxiliary power connector
Many Sonnet Thunderbolt products featuring Thunderbolt ports come equipped with threaded mounting holes to securely attach a Sonnet ThunderLok connector lock, preventing Thunderbolt cables from accidentally disconnecting.
Sonnet Thunderbolt products feature a high-speed Thunderbolt interface that delivers PCIe bandwidth needed to support data transfers at full speed.
